Hi everyone,

Welcome back.  How are you?  I had a good time with Dad Clutter yesterday, but I can't stop thinking about the hammer of negativity someone hit me with at one point.  I came up with an idea, which I thought was a creative answer to an issue, and was immediately hit with a barrage of criticism that implied I was an idiot for even suggesting it.  That's such a bummer.  1) No one likes being ripped like that, but 2) responses like that also stifle future conversations, which isn't fun.

Fortunately, BDH and Little Buddha have never had a negative day in their lives.  They're telling me to focus on the fun stuff, like the fact that we're not waking up in total darkness anymore, and those bird chirps are getting louder every morning.  These two always keep things in perspective.

Anyway, enough rambling.  Let's do this.  The guys made coffee, so grab yourself a nice medium DD, because it's time to clear out some Wednesday Clutter.

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The Arizona Supreme Court allowed the return of an almost-complete abortion ban that dates back to the Civil War yesterday.  Thus, all abortions in the state are illegal, unless they're to save the life of the mother, and anyone who violates this 1864 law is subject to 2 to 5 years in state prison.  The court put its ruling on hold for now while a legal challenge to the law continues to play out in the trial court.  However, make no mistake, this is what Republicans are looking for across the country.  They want to force pregnancies on women. 

If this ban is allowed to stand, women will be forced to travel out of state for fundamental health care.  Rape and incest survivors will be forced to continue their pregnancies against their wills.  Some women will incur health problems.  All because the anti-abortion extremists who run the GOP are obsessed with controlling women's lives.  This never-ending war has to stop. 

You can be sure voters across the country will remember this in November. (pic via www.abcnews.go.com)

A group of Republican-led states is suing President Biden over the administration's student debt forgiveness efforts again, because there's nothing that makes conservatives angrier than efforts to help anyone besides the top 1%.  The GOP will pass unnecessary tax cuts for the rich until none of them have to pay a dime, but give ordinary Americans a shot at increased economic security and ability to pursue their dreams?  That's outrageous.  These people hate most of the country, and they should all be thrown out of office.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. campaign official Rita Palma was active in the push to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election, and she's previous referred to Donald Trump as her "favorite president."  Thus, it's no surprised that  Palma was recently caught on tape admitting that Kennedy's goal is to damage Biden's chances so that Trump can win in November.  The Kennedy campaign is trying to distance itself from Palma, now that she said the quiet part out loud, but the facts are clear:  Kennedy is here to do Trump's bidding.

It doesn't sound like investors will be happy with the March Consumer Price Index data that's set to be released later today.  There was a strong jobs report last Friday, and going by the linked article, it appears inflation should still be sitting around 3.4%.  If that's the right number, expectations for interest rate cuts will likely cool down even more.  However, the Clutter investment team would be okay with that outcome.  Of course they'd like to see prices cool off more, but some folks need a reality check that this report might provide. 

The Boston Red Sox started yesterday's season home opener by celebrating the 20th anniversary of the historic 2004 championship team, as well as honoring the memories of the recently departed Tim and Stacy Wakefield, and Larry Lucchino.  Unfortunately, things went downhill after that, as the Sox lost 7-1 to the Baltimore Orioles.  The offense had two hits (including a Tyler O'Neill home run) in the first inning, and that was it for the day.  Add in two errors, and that was that.  Next up:  Kutter Crawford will take the mound for Boston against Baltimore tonight, weather permitting.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story needs surgery on his fractured left shoulder and will reportedly be out for the rest of the season.  We feel bad for the guy as a person, but what a disastrous signing for the Sox.  Story will have provided almost no value whatsoever for the first three years of his contract, and who in their right mind would count on him for the final three years of the deal?   The team should look at making him a DH next year to try to help him at least rebuild enough value to be a legitimate trade candidate. 

Add to that, the news that Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta is going on the 15-day IL with a strained flexor tendon, and storm clouds are already growing over the team.

Ex-Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias is being charged with five misdemeanors connected to his arrest for domestic violence last year.  MLB is expected to announce any punishments after he's arraigned on May 2.  Urias was already suspended once in 2019 for domestic violence.  Kick him out of baseball and don't look back. 

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry shed some light on why he re-signed with the team this offseason.  Henry basically said he's excited to work with new head coach Jerod Mayo and be part of the Patriots changing their fortunes after two poor seasons.  We were pleasantly surprised when Henry decided to stay.  He should be a valuable safety net for the next quarterback.

Cody Rhodes reportedly sold over $1 million in merchandise during Wrestlemania weekend.  Forget what happens inside the ring - those are the kinds of results that really matter.  Ladies and gentlemen, we give you your new face of the WWE for the foreseeable future.

Pro wrestler Damien Priest just won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40 last weekend.  That's a big boost for his career, but he's apparently not content with just defending his new title:  Priest just signed a deal with the Paradigm Talent Agency, so it looks like he's also got plans for other projects.  Good for him.  Wrestlers are like football players - they put their bodies on the line for their jobs, and things can change in an instant for them.  It's good to have diverse interests.

The first trailer is out for Joker: Folie à Deux, which stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga and comes out on October 4.  This isn't really our cup of tea, but Phoenix and Gaga look like they make a fascinating pair:

What?  Sylvester Stallone is accused of verbally abusing background actors on his show Tulsa King for being unattractive?  We're shocked to hear that Rocky/Rambo might be a superficial guy who is obsessed with appearances and being surrounded by young pretty people.  Shocked, we say.  In any case, good for Catrett Locke Casting for standing up for its clients and quitting the series in protest of this poor alleged behavior.

We can think of a number of people who will be happy to hear that a new Bridget Jones movie is in the works.  The film will once again star Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, and Emma Thompson, among others, and it will be released on NBC's Peacock streaming service on Valentine's Day next year.

Chicago Med showrunners Diane Frolov and Andy Schneider announced they're leaving the show at the end of this season.  The pair have been in charge of the series for all nine years of its existence, so we can see how they would want to do something new.  It also probably wouldn't hurt Med to welcome in a new perspective to shake things up a bit.  We're curious to see how the hospital looks in the fall.

Amy Poehler said she and Nick Offerman would make out at some point during a scene every year in hopes of getting into that season's Parks and Recreation blooper reel.  Poheler said the crew didn't care for their efforts, and we don't blame them.  The idea of Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson hooking up is disturbing.

This is fun:  Someone created an interactive map of all of the places the Doctor has visited in London over the years.  You click on each location, and you get a short summary of the Doctor Who episode in question that took place at that spot.  It currently runs through last year's 60th anniversary specials, but the linked article says updates will continue during the Ncuti Gatwa era. 

This isn't a surprise, but it's still welcome news that NCIS has been renewed for a 22nd season.  It's good to see the series doing well even without Mark Harmon.  After taking a hiatus from the show for a few years, it's returned to our regular TV viewing schedule.  It may not have quite the level of drama that it had in the early days, but it still makes for some entertaining comfort television. 

Hey, CBS also renewed FBI, and for three seasons nonetheless!  That's cool.  Our crew is big on this Dick Wolf drama on Tuesday nights.  However, we're moving away from FBI: International, and we don't watch FBI:  Most Wanted (both of which were also extended.)

Alison Brie said she's read the script for the upcoming Community movie, and that it's funny.  Still no word on a new filming schedule (it was originally supposed to be last year), but at least we know there's a script.  Baby steps, friends.  Baby steps.

Aerosmith released the new dates for the shows they had to postpone last year, due to singer Steven Tyler suffering vocal cord damage.  The tour will resume in September and run through next February.

Okay kids, that's going to do it for now.  BDH and Little Buddha wanted to take another trip in the Wayback Machine, so we're closing things out with a tune that was in the top 10 in April of 1994.  Here's Prince with, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" for today's, "Song of the Day."

Thanks for stopping by, folks.  It was great to see you, as always.  We're pretty sure there aren't new "One Chicago" shows tonight, but BDH and Little Buddha say you're still welcome to come back later to either watch the Red Sox or maybe something on Hulu.  Otherwise, enjoy the rest of your day, stay dry, and we'll catch up with you again soon.  Until next time, that's today's Clearing out the Clutter, and we are outta here.